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JAMES A. MICHENER'S ADVENTURES IN PARADISE: BLUEPRINT FOR PARADISE {SERIES FINALE} (TV)

Summary

The finale in this drama series created by James A. Michener in which schooner skipper Adam Troy travels between South Pacific islands in search of adventure.

In this episode, on Mareeva Island, Troy oversees the unloading of a shipment of goods, but prime minister Haramu arrives to tell him that it must all be sent back by order of the queen, Victoria. Haramu explains to Troy that they cannot pay for the goods because Victoria spent the money received in a large insurance settlement on machinery, intending to build a fish cannery on the island. He adds that she spent time in America and is now looking to bring "progress" to the island, though Troy and Haramu agree that the cannery is a bad idea. Troy visits Victoria as she talks with Professor Henry Hoag, whom she brought from America, and Hoag explains that he intends to write a report for the U.N. about the cannery construction. Troy, however, points out that there are no roads by which to transport the machinery to its intended spot, and Hoag hastily declares that they will build one.

Victoria refuses to change her mind and Troy plans to leave the island, but Haramu offers him pearls to stay for the time being. They throw a luau to remind Victoria of her true heritage, and the queen enjoys herself as Troy invites her to dance. Hoag complains about the distraction, and Haramu's daughter Tani attempts to win him over. Victoria and Troy sneak off for a private chat, but he leaves when she asks him to transport the machinery on his boat, annoyed that she is still going ahead with her plan. Later, Victoria interviews locals for future cannery jobs, and Troy approaches and declares that he will help her after all, though only after exploring the other side of the island as a safety precaution. He tricks Hoag into staying behind and sets off with Victoria, but they are soon caught in a storm; Victoria realizes that he purposefully timed the trip to get her on her own. Though angry at first, she eventually explains why she does not want the island's culture to "stagnate." He urges her to "get to know her own people again" before making radical changes. Elsewhere, Hoag frets that Troy will "charm" Victoria out of their plan, but Tani tells him that Haramu bribed Troy to befriend the queen. When Victoria returns and hints that she is reconsidering the cannery, Hoag scolds her for being "love struck" and reveals that Troy is only faking his interest in her. When Troy admits that Haramu did in fact give him pearls, Victoria declares that they will begin construction immediately.

Troy warns her that the cannery will fail because of its geographical location, but she ignores him. The local men fail to show up for work, but Hoag realizes that Troy has persuaded them to fake food poisoning. In response, Victoria recruits the local women to force their husbands into working, pointing out that they will be able to afford nice things once the cannery is built. After several days without their wives, the panicked men consider giving in, but Troy then turns the original cargo over to the people, saying that they will pay him eventually. Victoria realizes that she cannot let her subjects wallow in debt. Hoag laments his failed experiment and Victoria decides to leave on the Tiki; Haramu and the others beg her to stay, offering to build the cannery and sacrifice the goods if she will remain their queen. Troy returns Haramu's pearls and, touched by the gestures, Victoria decides to stay on Mareeva and rule her people more fairly. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

  • NETWORK: ABC
  • DATE: April 1, 1962 10:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:58:22
  • COLOR/B&W: B&W
  • CATALOG ID: B:05978
  • GENRE: Drama, action/adventure
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, action/adventure
  • SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1959-1962
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - Alka-Seltzer
    • TV - Commercials - Corega denture adhesive
    • TV - Commercials - Dash dog food
    • TV - Commercials - Dial soap
    • TV - Commercials - Radio Free Europe Fund
    • TV - Commercials - Welch's grape juice
    • TV - Promos - "Alcoa Premiere"
    • TV - Promos - "Ben Casey"
    • TV - Promos - "Cheyenne"
    • TV - Promos - "The Rifleman"

CREDITS

  • Gene Levitt … Producer
  • Francis D. Lyon … Director
  • Irwin Winehouse … Writer
  • A. Sanford Wolf … Writer
  • Lionel Newman … Music by
  • Gardner McKay … Cast, Adam Troy
  • Guy Stockwell … Cast, Chris Parker
  • James Holden … Cast, Clay Baker
  • Pilar Seurat … Cast, Queen Victoria
  • John Fiedler … Cast, Professor Henry Hoag
  • Raoul de Leon … Cast, Haramu
  • Bernie Gozier … Cast, Tapai
  • Lani Kai … Cast, Kelly
  • Ngarua … Cast, Tani
  • Mokihana … Cast, Tapai's Wife